NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION FOR INTERNAL GUY CORROSION ON TALL TOWERS

Many of the guys that support the Navy’s critical tall antenna towers are developing severe localized corrosion that can lead to progressive antenna collapse. Often hidden within the cross-section of the guy, internal corrosion may have little correlation with the visual condition of the outside of the guy. A non-destructive guy inspection tool has been developed to monitor and assess the corrosive condition of tower guys. This autonomous tool consists of a guy crawler towing a magnetizing sensor head, with a portable computer wirelessly controlling both. The tool measures the loss of cross-sectional metallic area along a guy. This paper introduces the magnetic flux sensing concept, highlights basic prototype development, summarizes test results and establishes a need for validation.